COURSE REVIEWS

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Heads Into Final Round

Rory Sabbatini Hopes To Avoid Sophomore Jinx

By Bob Buttitta,
GolfCalifornia.com Course Reviewer

Chip Shot: Second-year pro Rory Sabbatini has a 1-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic but nine players, including defending champion David Duval are within three.

BERMUDA DUNES, CA- Rory Sabbatini had one goal heading into Saturday's fourth round of the 2000 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - to shoot seven under, one shot better than his 6-under 66 the day before.

Playing at Indian Wells Country Club, one of four courses used for the tournament and a course that has surrendered a lot of low scores this week, Sabbatini stood at 6-under par as he prepared to hit his tee shot on the par 5, 501 yard 18th hole.

"My caddie and I knew we needed a birdie to reach our goal," Sabbatini said. "I've been striking the ball well all tournament so I just closed out all the distractions and focused on the job at hand."

The second year professional hit a perfect drive and followed that with a 5-iron from 208 yards that he stuck within 15 feet of the pin. Sabbatini then calmly drained the eagle putt, giving him not only a round of 8-under 64, but also the outright lead heading into Sunday's final round.

	David Duval

Matt Gogel, a two-time winner on the Nike Tour last year who is playing in just his second ever PGA event, is one stroke behind Sabbatini. Gogel is at 22-under par, following a 3-under 66 on Saturday at Bermuda Dunes. Just two shots off the lead are defending champion David Duval. Duval also shot 3-under at Bermuda Dunes on Saturday.

Tied with Duval at 21-under are third round leader Rich Beem, tour veteran Jesper Parnevik, and Stephen Ames. Beem struggled late in his round at Indian Wells, shooting a 1-under, 71, his worst round of the tournament. On the opposite end were Parnevik and Ames, both of who shot 7-under at Bermuda Dunes.

But the story of the day was Sabbatini, a player whose best finish on the PGA tour is a tie for third in both the 1999 BellSouth Classic and the BC Open. While he was generally pleased with his round, Sabbatini said there was room for improvement.

"It was a good day, although a little frustrating with the putter," Sabbatini said. "I've been hitting the all exceptionally well and that continued today.

"I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. If I can keep striking the ball like I have and get my putter heated up, I should be in the hunt."

Sabbatini had a chance to win as a rookie. At the BellSouth Classic, he opened with back-to-back 65s, giving him the outright lead heading into the weekend. But he felt the pressure of being in front and closed with rounds of 73 and 70, settling for a tie for third.

"The experience last year in Atlanta should help me tomorrow," Sabbatini said. "I know about the pressure, so I need to come out and play my game. It was a harsh lesson but it will help me. It's not a situation were I've had four great days and I'm waiting for something to go wrong. I'm still looking for that great round and hopefully it will be tomorrow."

Like Sabbatini, Gogel is also hoping to put his best foot forward in the final round. He admitted that during the final four or five holes on Saturday, the pressure started to get to him just a bit.

"Over the last few holes, we were having to wait about 15 minutes between tee shots," Gogel said. "I'm new to this arena and I started to get a little antsy. There was some anxiety and it showed in some of the shots that I hit coming in.

"It was the fourth day playing with the amateurs and it's been fun, but I think we are all ready to be paired with each other. I struggled a bit today (Saturday) but I shot 68 and that was pretty good, although it won't be good enough tomorrow."

Although he's never experienced the pressure of trying to win on Sunday on the PGA tour, he knows what it's like to battle on the final day from his Nike Tour days. He feels that experience will help him on Sunday.

"Winning is winning, no matter where it is," Gogel said. "There's a lot that goes with winning, I just need to do the things needed and give myself some opportunities on the greens for birdies. I want to win so badly, I just need to relax."

Duval knows all about winning, having came from way back last year to win on the final day thanks to a tournament record 59.

The tour's number two player said he played well on Saturday but said he seemed to stall out on the back nine, where he posted just one birdie, that on the par 5, 501 yard 18th.

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"I've lipped out a lot," Duval said. "It's encouraging to see the ball hit the hole and eventually they are going to go in. Hopefully, that will happen tomorrow. I've got a good idea how it's going to be playing going into the greens and hopefully, I can use that to my advantage."

Duval needs little advantage. His strong finish last year is fresh in the minds of everyone in the hunt, including Duval. When asked if he expects to win, he simply smiled.

"I think I have a very good chance," Duval said. "There's not too many people between me and the lead, so I'll be near the last groups and that's helpful. I've eon a few events from behind. I've won a few from ahead. There's a lot of different ways to do it."

Notes:

Rumor floating around the media tent on Saturday is that IMG, the company that represents David Duval has told the stoic star they want him to enroll in "Media School," to help him learn how to better deal with the press. The request reportedly came after Duval was asked during a media session earlier in the week what he thought of the Casey Martin situation. Duval allegedly said he had not thought about it.

Speaking of Martin, he had his second best round of the tournament on Saturday with a 3-under par 69 but it wasn't enough to make the cut. Martin finished at 9-under, 2 strokes short of the 11-under needed to play on Sunday. Gary Nicklaus, son of PGA legend Jack Nicklaus, also missed the cut with a four day total of 3-under, 285.

Holy Toledo: Esteban Toledo made an ace on the par 3, third hole at La Quinta Country Club, one of four courses used for the tournament.

	Frank Lickliter

In the Hunt: Looking for a darkhorse on the final day, you might want to consider Frank Lickliter, who had the top round on Saturday at 10-under 62.

Hanging out at the Turn: This reporter hung out around the ninth hole at Bermuda Dunes during Saturday's fourth round to check out some of the sights and happenings. Among the highlights:

Arnie's Army is as Strong as Ever: The loudest ovation for any player coming though was for the legendary Arnold Palmer. After sticking his approach shot within 3-feet of the pin, Palmer was greeted by a deafening ovation from the gallery, many of whom were standing. The cheer got even louder when Arnie sank the birdie putt. Palmer finished with a four-day total of 314.

Rush to see Rush: One of the most popular celebrity players on the course this week was talk show host Rush Limbaugh, many of them women. As two women waited for the controversial Limbaugh to get to the ninth, they chatted about each of their late husbands were responsible for getting them to tune into Limbaugh's show.

Murray-mania: Comedian Bill Murray, making his first every appearance at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, has been a big hit. His pairing on Saturday with John Daly and Dallas Cowboys' running back Emmitt Smith drew huge galleries and Murray put on a show.

Adorned in black shorts and shirt, Murray completed his ensemble with a bright red baseball cap with a large red bow on the back. He joked with the crowds all through his round. After making a short putt on nine, he slumped over at the waist and cupped his face in his hands ala Ben Crenshaw a few ago at the Masters. He then turned and gave Daly a huge hug, as the crowd roared with approval.

Venturi To Be Honored In Phoenix: CBS golf analyst Ken Venturi and the 1958 Phoenix Open champion will be inducted into the Phoenix Open Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place this week as the PGA Tour moves to Arizona for the 2000 Phoenix Open. Venturi will be the 14th person inducted into the Hall of Fame.

USGA Announces Exemptions: The United States Golf Association announced that past U.S. Open champions Curtis Strange and Tom Watson and British Open champion Greg Norman and amateur Aaron Baddeley have been offered special exemptions into the 2000 championship by the USGA's executive committee. Baddeley won the 1999 Australian Open.